COSTS TO DEPARTMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21092, 12 May 1943, Page 2

COSTS TO DEPARTMENT

PRICE TRIBUNAL CASE MISTAKE SUGGESTED In tlie Gisborne Magistrate’s Court to-day costs wore allowed Stanley Tait, a store-keeper, who had been proceeded against by the Price Fixation Tribunal for overcharging on an article sold to an inspector. The Tribunal offered no evidence and Ihe case was struck out by Mr E. L. Walton. S.M.

Mr L. T. Burnard. when asking for costs in favour of the defendant, said that the inspector had asked for a specified N.Z.-made brand of iodised salt described in a price order. The defendant did not have this in stock, but said he had another brand, imported from "England, that was not affected by the order and it was this which was supplied to the inspector. In addition, the Price Tribunal was not in a position to proceed with Ihe case on two previous occasions when the defendant had his witnesses present. Mr F. W. Nolan, who appeared for the Price Tribunal, said that evidence supplied since had satisfied the tribunal that a mistake had been made, by the inspector, and no evidence was offered against the defendant.

The case was struck out with costs to the defendant amounting to £3 3s, plus witness’ expenses.